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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A University of Rhode Island researcher has recently discovered there
are more than 20 different compounds in maple syrup that are linked to
human health, 5 of which have never been seen in nature, most of which
have only been discovered in the last 2-3 years. These newly identified
antioxidant compounds i>>n maple syrup are reported to have anti-cancer,
anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. (Science Daily, Mar, 30, 2011)Is there anyone else shocked to find that something as sweet,
sticky and wonderful tasting as pure maple syrup could actually be good
for you?!

Okay, so even if you didn't go out and tap the maple trees in your yard as suggested in You Can Make Maple Syrup (Seriously...It's Easy!) or follow the step-by-step instructions on how to boil it down in Let's Make Syrup (part 2)
(which by the way, you still can, because with this crazy, wintry,
so-called spring we're having, the maple sap is still flowing like
crazy!), you can still make the decision to buy pure maple syrup and
start incorporating it into your diet anywhere you would normally add a
sweetener.

Maple Syrup Latte

This morning I added it to my coffee with some half-and-half
(Mmmmm...), last night I made fresh-squeezed lemonade, replacing the
sugar with maple syrup (fabulous...and I didn't have to deal with trying
to get the sugar to dissolve!), and I've read you can replace it in
baking for the sugar (use 3/4 cup maple syrup for every 1 cup of sugar
called for in a recipe, then reduce the liquid content by 3 T).

Whatever you do, don't mistake that pancake syrup stuff for pure
maple syrup. Take a look at the following side-by-side comparison:

So can you think of any other creative ways to use maple syrup instead of sugar? I saw some recipes for salad dressings,
marinades, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots. Opt for maple syrup
instead of refined sugar or artificial sugar substitutes in coffee, tea
or maybe on your grapefruit. Now I'm not saying to go crazy and declare
a Maple Sugar Diet frenzy, because after all, it is still high in
sugar, but just consider using it in places where you would normally use
sugar.

Unfortunately, pure maple syrup is expensive. I noticed in the store
a 12oz. bottle was $9.47!...but if you tap your own maple trees you can
make it yourself for free (except for the cost of the $2.99 tapper,
which is cheaper than sugar). Already this year we've gotten more than 2
gallons, so you can bet we're going to be finding some mighty creative
ways to add this sweet, delicious, healthy syrup into our diets!

And Don't Forget...

High quality food is as important to me as high quality natural skincare products. SkinKissed Naturals products will give you beautiful skin, that feels good, that you can feel good about.

You'll have to try to remember from last fall, but their leaves are very distinctive looking. Typically, they are the first ones to turn colors in the fall and can be brilliant shades of orange and red (our tree just turns yellow). They are also the ones that produce those little "helicopter" or "whirlybird" seed pods in the spring/summer.

Looking down into collection bucket

Maple sap looks like water

Also, be aware, the sap has the same look and consistency of water. And there is barely any sweet flavor to it at all; that's because at this point it is only about 1-3% sugar. Finished syrup has 66% sugar.

After your collection buckets get full, pour them into a larger storage bucket (we used a 5 gallon plastic bucket). You can filter it at this time through a fine mesh strainer before pouring into the storage bucket to remove any large pieces of sediment, bark, bugs, etc. Then you'll need to keep the storage bucket in a cool place until you decide to boil. We took shelves out of our second refrigerator and kept it in there, but I've read where you can even pack your container in snow to keep it cool, out of the way of the sun.

Properly stored sap will keep up to one week, but then you must boil it down, as it can spoil if kept any longer. We were able to fill 2 five-gallon buckets ranging between 2-5 days, but we collect from two trees (our super huge tree and our neighbor's tree). The amount you collect will vary; just plan on boiling it down within a week.

So Let's Do It!
You need to decide the best place to boil the sap down. And it needs to be a place with good ventilation, because it will produce a tremendous amount of moisture in the air. Here are some ideas: Outdoor fireplace, outdoor fire pit with a grate to set your pot on, an outdoor turkey fryer would work great, an outdoor grill, etc.

Boiling 3 pots to speed the process

Since my husband is an appliance guy, we plugged in an old stove out in his shop and left the doors open. At one point we forgot to keep the doors open and when we went in to check on it, the humidity was at 70%!

So make sure you have an accurate candy thermometer and start boiling away! I read one tip to help keep it from boiling over is to rub butter around the rim of the pot. Then just keep (carefully) adding your sap to the boiling pot. On our second batch, we decided to run 3 pots at once to speed it up and then added them to one main pot.

As it boils down to a smaller amount, you can transfer the liquid to a smaller pot and bring it in the house to finish it off (you still might want to leave a window open for a little ventilation).

The rule of thumb is to boil it until it reaches 7 degrees hotter than when it first boiled (boiling point is apparently affected by your altitude, so take note of the temperature it first boils and add 7 degrees). Here in Wisconsin, water boils at 212 degrees Farenheit, so it will be done when it reaches 219 degrees Farenheit. And as the temperature starts to rise above 212, you'll need to watch it very closely, because it will get to 219 rather quickly.

To Filter, Or Not To Filter?
There are 3 options when it comes to filtering (in a simple home setting):

Filter when it is hot

Decant (pouring it off after it settles 24 hours)

Don't filter

Hot Filter. What you are filtering is what is called "niter" or sugar sand. It is a harmless substance made of various minerals and won't hurt you if you consume it, but it doesn't look pretty. So if you want to filter it, you must do it when it's hot, because once it cools it'll be way too thick! And even though you may have filtered before you boiled, the niter is extremely fine and you'll need to filter through a very fine substance like flour sack cloth, wool, a few layers of cheesecloth or a special orlon material made for filtering syrup. You'll want to "prime" or pre-moisten your filter by getting a small amount on it and gently squeezing, otherwise it may just pool and spill over the edge.

Decant. If you go with the decant method then you don't need to worry about filtering at this point. You'll just pour the syrup in the jars and let it sit 24 hours. The niter will settle to the bottom and then you can pour it off into another container, leaving the niter behind in the first container.

Don't Filter. As I mentioned above, the niter is harmless, it just doesn't look nice. The choice is up to you.

Syrup Storage

Decanted, finished syrup

What's nice about maple syrup is that you don't have to "can" it in the traditional sense of the word, because the high sugar content in the syrup (66%) helps to self-preserve it. You can further enhance the preservation of your syrup by keeping it in the refrigerator or freezer (although it's not absolutely necessary). Take note that the high sugar content will prevent it from freezing solid.

So all you really have to do is make sure you are putting it in clean, dry, food-safe containers, like we did for our first batch pictured at right.

Another option is to seal the syrup in canning jars. However, you'll need to work quickly, pouring it as soon as possible after you hot filter it, so the temperature doesn't drop too much. Then you'll need
to pop the lids on and gently tip the jars on their side, so the lids stay as hot as possible to help them seal right.

Another variation of this is to first do the decant method. Then after 24 hours pour (decant) the syrup into a saucepan and heat to 180 degrees, then pour it into canning jars and tilt them on their sides to help them seal.

Are You Going To Try It?
As I'm writing this, we're boiling down our 3rd batch of sap! We got 2 five gallon buckets filled again in just 2 days...it's crazy! The sap is still running strong...so it's not too late...I'm telling you, you can start today and have syrup by this weekend!

So how about it? Is there anyone out there willing to try? Talk to me in the comments below...or ask me any questions...or post your own pictures on Facebook.

In a couple days I'll conclude this little "series" on maple syrup, comparing its nutritional aspects to regular pancake syrup, and talk about closing up the syruping season. High quality food is as important to me as high quality natural skincare products. And with SkinKissed Naturals products you get beautiful skin, that feels good, that you will feel good about. Click this link to take a peek at SkinKissed Naturals natural skincare products.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

If you can answer "yes" to these 3 questions, then you too, can make your own pure maple syrup:

Do you have a maple tree in your yard?

Do you love pure maple syrup?

Do you love saving money?

All you need is ONEmaple tree! In fact, if you get going today, you could have syrup in as little as 2 days...seriously! If you don't have a maple tree, maybe a friend or neighbor does, so you could make this a joint venture.

And don't worry about what kind of maple you have or how much sap it takes to get what yield, because I discovered ANY maple tree will work! And while Sugar Maples are preferred by maple syrup producers for the greatest yield, don't let that stop you, because we don't have a Sugar Maple (I think ours is a Soft Maple) and in just 2 weeks we have 1.5 gallons of syrup!

I know my blogs are usually about natural skincare topics (I make and sell SkinKissed Naturals - natural skincare products), but I care about healthy, natural food just as much as I care about natural skincare products! And since the sap is flowing like crazy right now where we live (in
Somerset, WI), if you have maple trees in your yard and this sounds like
something you'd like to try, then let's get to it and make some maple
syrup! Besides, what else is there to do in crazy April weather like this?

Today we'll cover finding the right tree(s) and getting them tapped. Then tomorrow we'll cover the nutritional benefits of maple syrup and how to boil the sap down and store your finished syrup.

What You Need To Get Started...
Our next door neighbors were originally from out east, where maple syrup is a really big deal, and they gave us their equipment before they moved to Florida. They convinced me it was easy and I really could do it...and so can you...I'll tell you how!

Here's what you need to get started:

Any maple tree that's at least 10" in diameter

The right temperatures outside

A drill

A tap (also known as a "spile") which our hardware store carries for $2.99 each

That's it! But don't delay, because the syrup is flowing NOW and you can start today with just the first 5 things listed above! Then you can worry about gathering the rest of the items needed to complete the job. So let's break these steps down.

The Right Tree, The Right Conditions
First you need to find a maple tree that is at least 10-12 inches in diameter. Then you need to make sure the weather/temperature conditions are right.

When the weather is below freezing (32 degrees Farenheit) at night and above freezing during the day, it's time to tap the trees! These are the conditions that cause the sap in the trees to flow. In Wisconsin where we live, this is usually some time in March. We've been at this for a couple weeks already, but the sap is still flowing with this crazy weather we're having (I am so OVER this snow in April thing, but it is good for getting maple syrup!).

The diameter of the tree will determine the number of taps you can use on the tree. According to the Minnesota DNR, here's a general guide:

Diameter of TreeNumber of Taps

less than 10" 0

10" to 14" 1
15" to 19" 2
20" to 24" 3
25" or larger 4

Now you need to install the taps (or the correct word is "spile"). There are different styles of these, but I saw them at our local hardware store for $2.99 each.

Drill a hole only the size of the spile (usually 5/16" or 7/16") at a slight angle upward, no more than
2"-3" deep. Blow the shavings out of the hole, then gently tap the
spile with a hammer into the tree, being careful not to split the wood. Choose a
location about 3 feet off the ground, ideally either above a big root or
below a big branch, on the south side of the tree where it gets the
most sun.

Now all you need to do is hang your bucket! You should start to see sap running right away if the conditions are right. It will look like water and has the same consistency.

You might want to figure out a way to cover the bucket to help keep rain, snow and other debris out (but don't worry if some of that stuff gets in...it's bound to...and you're going to filter it and boil it later anyway).

We got lucky and have one great-grand-daddy of a tree so we installed 3 taps (we didn't have a spile for one so my husband rigged a brass fitting with a refrigerator water tube that drips into the pan on the ground). Our daughter loves checking the buckets every day!

Now Just Go Do It!
You will be surprised at how quickly your buckets fill. And when they do, just transfer the sap into a 5 gallon bucket or other container, keeping it in a cool place until you're ready to boil, and keep filling. Then look for the next post tomorrow or Tuesday to learn how to boil it down and make your syrup!

Now go! Hurry! It will be too late when the weather gets warmer, because the sap will stop flowing, we'll have to remove the spiles (then the tree will naturally heal itself), and we'll have to wait until next spring to make syrup again (now go on..go!...You can do it!).

And just like there is no comparison between pure maple syrup and pancake syrup, there is also no comparison between natural skincare products and commercial skincare products. Check out SkinKissed Naturals - healthy, natural skincare products for every skin type at: skinkissednaturals.com.

Monday, January 28, 2013

So you're trying out those soap nuts you just bought and doing back-to-back loads, smiling with satisfaction at seeing your whites looking great, that those stains really are coming out, and now you're smiling extra big and closing your eyes as you take that first whiff after pulling your clothes out of the dryer...Ahhhh...So Fresh...

...And then you give yourself an imaginary pat on the back as you realize you have acheived TotalLaundry AwesomenessAND you're protecting your family (and the environment) from unnecessary, harmful chemicals, ALL while saving money too!...WOW! Now you find yourself holding your chin a little higherthinking, I believe I deserve an award...or at least a Superhero cape...

BUT THEN...you get distracted by the phone, your kids, meals, chores, you know...Life! And you realize you've lost count of how many loads you've washed with this bag of nuts...OH NO!...

OR

You've happily completed your laundry duties and hung them up to dry until the next laundry go-round. And here it is, laundry time again, but you realize you've forgotten how many loads you washed with this bag last week...YIKES!...

DON'T WORRY

You DO deserve an award (or at least a cool cape) for making the decision to use soap nuts for your laundry AND you don't need to fret just because you've lost count of how many loads you've done with this wash bag. BECAUSE luckily, there are 3quickandeasy ways to check if your soap nuts need to be replaced or not:

Feel Them (quick & easy way)

Look At Them (great way)

Squeeze the Bag After Soaking in Water (best & easy way)

So let's take a closer look at each one of these.

FEEL THEM

WET: Squeeze the bag and check how they feel. If you're checking them while
they are still wet, you'll notice they do soften a bit after every load
and that is normal. But do they feel mushy and considerably thinner
or do they feel about the same thickness and still fairly firm? If they feel mushy and thinner all over with no firm spots left, then it's time to discard them and refill with new ones, but if you can still feel firm spots then they likely have more life left in them.

DRY: If
you're checking them after they've dried out, you'll notice they do
harden back up again. But do they feel noticeably thinner, lighter and more fragile or do they feel about the same thickness and hardness? If they feel thinner, lighter and more fragile then it's time to discard them and refill with new ones, but if they still feel fairly thick and substantial then they are ready to go for more loads.

LOOK AT THEM

If you're still not sure, you can open the bag and take a look at them.
Do you notice any lighter tan/gray color around the edges of the
individual nuts? How much of the nut has changed color? If you notice a lighter tan/gray around the edges of the nuts, then they still should have some washing power left, but if you notice the whole soap nut has turned to this lighter tan color then it's likely they've given all they got and it's time to refill.

Soap Nuts Before First Wash

uniform dark color

firm, hard, heavy

Soap Nuts After 6th Wash

Thinner, lighter, more fragile, mushy when wet

light tan color over all/most of each nut

SQUEEZE BAG AFTER SOAKING

The third way to know for sure whether your soap nuts can do another load or not is to squeeze the wet wash bag and check for suds. If youjust finished a washload, then grab the bag and hold it under running water to thoroughly saturate it (or soak it briefly in a small bowl), then pull your hand out of the water and squeeze the bag. Do you see tiny white bubbles coming out around your fingers? Or are the bubbles more clear looking, large and weak, popping right away? If you see tiny white bubbles forming, then you're good-to-go for another load, but if the bubbles appear clear, larger, weak, fewer in number and popping right away, then it's time to reload with a fresh batch of soap nuts.

Sudsy Bubbles = Good for Another Wash

Weak/No Bubbles = Refill Bag

So there you have it...3 quick and easy ways to tell when it's time to refill your soap nuts wash bag! Are you ready to try washing with soap nuts yet?

What are your soap nuts stories and experiences? Is there anything else you need to know about them before you give them a try? Would you like to know more uses for them? Would you like to see progressive pictures of what they look like after 6 washes (I have pictures!)?